Orders for Paula Deen cookbook surge

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Orders for Paula Deen cookbook surge

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) – Advance orders for Paula Deen’s new cookbook have surged since the Food Network and Smithfield Foods axed her for using a racial slur.

Orders for “Paula Deen’s New Testament: 250 Favorite Recipes, All Lightened Up” surged on Amazon by nearly 1,300% in the last 24 hours.

The cookbook was ranked 115th on Tuesday, compared to a ranking of 1,592nd on Monday

“Paula Deen’s New Testament” is not available until October. Deen’s agent did not immediately return a message from CNNMoney about the book sales.

Scripps Networks Interactive’s Food Network announced June 21 that it would not renew Deen’s contract after reports emerged that she admitted, during a court deposition in May, using racial slurs.

“Yes, of course,” said Deen, when asked by a lawyer if she had ever used the “N word.”

Deen’s television contract expires at the end of June.

Pork producer and former Deen sponsor Smithfield Foods cut its ties on Monday.

“Smithfield condemns the use of offensive and discriminatory language or behavior of any kind,” said Smithfield vice president of investor relations Keira Lombardo, in a statement to CNN. “Therefore, we are terminating our partnership with Paula Deen.”

Deen also sells cookware and decorating supplies via her website and owns seven restaurants, including The Lady & Sons and Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House, both in Savannah, Ga.

Deen, who uses the Southern greeting “Hi y’all” conspicuously on the air and on her website, apologized via video:

“Your color of your skin, your religion, your sexual preference does not matter to me, but it’s what’s in the heart and my family and I try to live by that,” she said. “I offer my sincere apology to those that I have hurt and I hope that you forgive me because this comes from the deepest part of my heart.”